January Blues

Paige

Has anyone else got the January blues ? I feel so fed up, I usually am this time of year and have always indulged in a bit of retail therepy in the sales, because of debts I have kept well away this year.
I began posting with 18k worth of debt in October, I am now at 16K so have managed well considering it has been christmas. I am hoping to be debt free by next Christmas.
I have been trying to motivate myself by learning to knit and sew, have been reading lots and catching up with housework instead of going out spending money but I still am fed up.
Have I reached a point that every one else does ? The initial relief at sorting my money out and the novelty of saving seem to have worn off now, is this normal.
I tend to be an impulsive type of person and I am feeling fustrated that this is going to take a while.
So sorry for moaning Paige X

Toomuchdebt

Yes it's normal-I go through phases where I feel really down and have no motivation at all and then it comes back again with a vengeance!

duncans-mum_2

Yes its totally normal. At the initial stage, you can make all these changes for the better which is exciting, and spurs you on even more. But.. there is only so far you can go to sort them out, and then yes the excitement does tend to go a little bacuase what you are doing then just becomes a day to day slog.

January is rubbish anyway as it is such an anti climax after Christmas, and the weather isn't great.

You have done really well so far, maybe if you get your motivation by seeing your total going down month on month and getting excited by that to replace what costs you have cut down or saved on.

immoral_angeluk

January's a funny month because December was realy exciting with christmas and new year and the buzz of christmas shopping... then you're smacked down back to reality in January so it's not suprising people often feel down in the new year! Our 2nd baby is due any day so I haven't had time to feel down but I'd normally be in the same boat!
Keep your chin up.... we're half way through Jan and it'll be feb soon!

victory

yes January is a long month, made even longer by the cold weather, thinking it is long (which make the days go even slower!!) and after xmas seems a long, depressing let's get to february kind of month where nothing much happens!!
Just think it is the 13th today so not long to go now and it will pass!! xx

In_Search_Of_Me

Yup perfectly normal...all the initial enthusiasm is not (in my case at leats!) sustainable as its physically & emotionally exhausting & the plod is quite depressing as you realise that its gonna take a while to pay it all off! We all have blips as those "I want it" rather than need it feelings win sometimes but try & focus on the positive that you're doing it. Why not join theflylady challenge or one of the others for some encouragement? Big hugs for those Jan blues - halfway thorugh already!

Paige

Thanks to you all for the positive remarks. I think I need a big kick up the a--.
OH is working abroad as well so been on my own - 2 dds mostly do there own thing - OH will be back on Tues, has been gone for 10 days. Its been horrible but the money he is earning is great. Paige X

bank_of_slate

Hi Paige,
You have done amazingly well so far
try writing down what has happened since you started your efforts to clear your debts, then when you feel down you can look back and realise how far you've come.
Try reading a life inspiring book like Jane Tomlinson's book, you know, the lady with terminal cancer
And...keep coming on the forum, there is lots of support on here and you in turn can offer support for others who are struggling or just starting out on their road to debt free.
To satisfy the retail craving, make sure you check out the freebies-no spend required board on here, you get lots of little freebies through the post without spending a penny, and if you register free with https://www.seefilmfirst.com and look for codes on the freebies-no spend required cinema tickets thread you can get to the movies frequently for free!!!!!
Also, count down your progress in your signature, this feels great to delete the old figures and write in the new lower ones.
Hope this helps Paige
Hang in there babe
...Linda xx

Broken_hearted

For me it was scary, then exiting, then boring, then exiting, then boring. So I have many highs and lows. I like to set targets as it gives a boost to hit them. Also I take a couple of months off each year where I stop overpaying and treat myself, there is no point running yourself into the ground as most likely you will give up.

Paige

Thanks again. I have taken the advice and decided to join the flylady challange, found myself a notebook and of I go. Also my DD wanted some new makeup so went shopping with her and I did not spend a penny. Called in on my MFIL and had a cuppa they were so pleased to see me it cheered me up